Chapter 3: Classes and Teachers
Alex was sitting in the Gryffindor common room after the extremely filling feast and unpacking his trunk. He was at a total loss of words. Salem had
nothing on Hogwarts. Sure, he had been on the grounds visiting, but he never once was enrolled there as everyone was being lead to believe. Alex remembered that it took two whole days to cover the entire grounds at Salem. He had a excellent memory when it came to details, and his memory was telling him that Salem was NOT this fancy. Hogwarts had better protection wards in place too Alex noticed. It gave Hogwarts a very safe feel to it, a place where Alex could actually possiblely call home for the next nine months.
Alex sat on the couch in front of the fire place watching Ron and Harry play wizards chess. As far as he could tell, his baby brother had absolutly no sense of strategy. After the fourth loss to Ron, Alex couldn't take seeing his brother loss again.
"Ron, mind if I try against you. This version of chess isn't much different from the 'muggle' version." Alex asked.
"Uhh, sure if you think you know how." Ron said with a small smile. It had been awhile since he had the chance to play someone new. "I'll try to go easy on you and not beat you too badly. Oh, just so you know, I've never lost a match."
"Well, we'll just have to see about that now won't we. I play a mean game of chess. No one in my pa...family will play against me any more because I always win as well." Alex said as he sat down across from Ron, hoping like hell no one caught onto his almost slip up. The last thing he needed was to be found out so soon. Jason would kill him himself.
It took a few moves before Alex had Ron just where he wanted him. "CHECKMATE!" Alex proclaimed after a total of six moves.
"BLOODY HELL! How did you do that? I've never been able to win a match in so few of moves." Ron asked in a shocked tone.
Alex was still laughing when Professor McGonagall came through the portait doorway. At Salem, Alex remembered, everyone had to give a full palm print to enter/leave a building. Here, it was to give a password or to solve a riddle.
"Mr. Staggs, if you will please, come with me. You are requested at the main doors." Professor McGonagall told him.
With a quick glance around, Alex stood and followed the elderly professor out. "Umm, professor, may I ask where I am going?"
"Mr. Staggs, as you should know, the entire staff knows of your "condition." The Headmaster has been so kind to permit you access out of the castle after curfew every four to five days as part of the agreement with Mr. Madden." she told him as they reached the front doors. Mr Filch, the old caretaker, was standing off to the side holding onto his beloved cat for dear life.
"DON'T EAT MY CAT!" Filch cried hysterically.
Alex laughed as he walked out the doors, "relax old man, I won't. Besides, there's not enough meat on that cat's bones to make it an appetizer."
The last thing Alex heard before the doors closed was Filch running and screaming in terror down the corridors, away from Alex as fast as he could. Alex shook his head and made his way down to the Forbidden Forest. On their way to the entrance doors, McGonagall informed him that he was to head to the Forest and meet with the Headmaster there.
As he got closer to the Forest, five massive wolves the size of full grown Great Danes, stepped out of the woodline and into the moonlight. Dumbledore was waiting for Alex with the giant of a man that Alex remembered seeing in the Headmaster's office.
"Alex, so glad you made it here safely. This, is Rubeus Hagrid. He is the Grounds Keeper and he also tends to all the creatures here on Hogwarts grounds." Dumbledore said as Alex and Hagrid shook hands. "Hagrid has been so kind to notify those in the forest that every four to five days, you will be permitted access to run and hunt. He has also been so kind to mark off the area in which you and only you, will be allowed in. Please do not try and exit your hunting area. Special arrangements have been made for tonight to allow the entire Pack to hunt with you as well. When you are done, please go and see Hagrid and he will let you back into the castle. And might I add, please do remember that you do have classes in the morning. Do try and not stay out too late. Happy hunting Alex." And with that, Dumbledore walked back up to the castle.
Alex turned to Hagrid after the headmaster walked back to the castle. "I shouldn't be out no more than two hours if that is ok."
"Er, sure Alex, I'd be happy ter come get and fetch ya. Got to do me rounds in about two hours as it is. Uh, no offense ter the fetching remark eh?" Hagrid said rubbing his bearded chin.
"None taken. That expression seems to always find it's way around me. See ya back in two hours then. Oh one more thing, do you think I could have a quick run around the castle itself? I promise I will make it a fast run and then I will stay to the forest." Alex asked.
"I don't see any harm with that, just make sure your not spotted eh. Don't need Dumbledore getting on ter the both of us for you running loose on the actual castle grounds." Hagrid told him.
"Thanks Hagrid. I understand now why Harry considers you one of his friends. Your a good man Hagrid." Alex said as he patted the big black wolf nearest to him on the head. "Relax, I going I going."
Alex turned and strolled into the forest unaware he was being watched.
Ginny sat in the Gryffindor common room window that overlooked the grounds and had a direct view of the Forbidden Forest. There was just something about Alex Staggs that got to her and drove her crazy. She was gonna one way or another find out what he was hiding. As she sat in the window, she saw Alex move across the grounds in almost a dead run for the Forest. As she watched, five wolves bigger than anything she had seen stepped out of the woods next to Professor Dumbledore.
"Hermione, could I speak to you for a 'sec please." Ginny asked very quietly.
Hermione walked over to the window where her friend was sitting and took a seat on the opposite of the window. "What's up Ginny?"
Ginny leaned in towards Hermione and with a finger to her lips, pointed.
As they watched, Alex walked into the woods and dissappeared. A few minutes later, another wolf the size of a Great Dane walked out of the woods and began to run towards the castle.
Alex sat at the Gryffindor table looking over his classes. Professor McGonagall had informed Alex that even though he was the actually considered to be a Sixth year, Dumbledore felt him to be better suited as a Fifth Year. He could tell just by the look of his classes for the day, he was gonna be in a right foul mood come the end of the day. His second class of the day was double potions with Severus Sanpe.
"Hey Alex, how goes it today?" Ginny asked him as she sat on the bench next to him.
"Was going good until I got my classes." he said as he crammed his mouth full with scrambled eggs and bacon. "I have always hated potions and now I get a double dose of it my first day of classes. How's your morning going by the way?" He said after he emptied his mouth of all the food.
"It going so-so. I've got Defense Against the Dark Arts first off. It seems we have a new D.A.D.A. teacher again. Cann't seem to keep one for more than a year. And by the looks of this Professor Umbridge, it may be a long day for any student who has her." Ginny told him.
"Well, I got Charms this first hour then it double Potions with Professor Dumbass. God, I'm gonna hate it here aren't I. How have you guys managed to deal with him for so long. And does Dumbledore still have him around? Sorry, it just I already know Professor Snape and he and I didn't hit it off so great." Alex told her without looking up from his schedule.
"Don't feel so bad Alex, I think the only ones who like Professor Snape is those in Slytherin. And that only because he favors them. He never takes away points from them, always from everyone else. You'll like here I promise, even if I have to make it my personal job to make sure you're happy." Ginny said with a wicked grin.
What is she mean by that? Awwww shit, what does she know about me already. I thought I was being careful last night when I left. I could have thought that maybe, MAYBE I was being watched. I didn't see anyone on the grounds though. Alex thought to himself.
After Alex finished up his breakfast, he met Ron, Harry and Hermione outside the Charms classroom. "Morning guys, how's it going this morning?" he asked the trio with a grin.
"Ugh, are you always in this good of a mood in the mornings?" Ron asked, trying to hold back a yawn.
"I'm in a good mood 24/7 if I didn't have to tend with certain people but yeah, I usually in a good mood all the time and this early." Alex responded back.
The four teenagers made their way into the Charms classroom and found a table all four could sit at. Everyone stared as they came in to see Alex sitting with Ron, Hermione, and Harry. "Why is everyone staring at me? Do I have something stuck in my teeth?" Alex asked.
"No silly, it's because you're new and to be honest with you, you are handsome Alex." Hermione said blushing.
Before Alex could come back with a remark, Professor Flitwick entered the classroom. "Good morning students. Welcome back to Hogwarts and Charms class. As most of you know, we have a new student in our mix, Alex Staggs from the states. Alex, don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand the spell. I don't know what all you have learned but I believe you know the basic levitation charm, correct?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"Yes Professor I do know that charm. Would you like for me to demonstrate for the class?" Alex answered.
Professor Flitwick waved his hand in a gesture that said "be my guest", and Alex stood up and walked to the middle of the classroom. "Anything perticular thing you want me to levitate Professor?"
"Anything you like my dear boy." said Professor Flitwick.
"OK then." With a quick flick upwards of his right hand, Alex levitated Professor Flitwick across his desk and set him down in front of where Alex was standing.
"MARVELOUS! SIMPLY MARVELOUS!" Professor Fliwick exclaimed.
"You did say anything Professor." Alex said laughingly as he was knelt in front of his tiny professor.
"That my dear boy I did. That I did." said Professor Flitwick. As he turned to go back to his desk, he stopped and looked back at Alex. "Umm, do you think you could give me hand back to my desk, seeing as you put me here?"
Alex laughingly gave his wrist an upwards flick and sent his tiny professor floating above the heads of his classmates and sat him gently in his chair. Alex retook his seat next to Harry and smiled to himself.
"Amazing mate. Just couldn't help showing off could you?" Ron asked him, trying to hold back the laugh that was wanting out.
"Nah, I couldn't. I think he enjoyed it though, seeing as he wanted me to levitate back instead of walking back himself. But I didn't mind. He knows now that I can do it." Alex said as he opened his Charms book and started reading the chapter on conjuring.
After the class was over, the four new friends made their way down to the dungeons where Double Potions was about to take place. As they walked down the corridor, they saw Mr. Filch getting onto a second year Ravenclaw student for dropping a broken quill on the floor.
"Let me handle this." Alex said with a wicked wolfish grin. "I want to see if my theory about this fool is right. He seems to freak out when he sees me. I wonder if he will again and leave this poor kid alone."
Alex let out a loud whistle in which Mr. Filch turned his attention to the direction the whistle came. He froze in his spot when he saw Alex coming towards him. He started to back peddle but it was as if his feet wouldn't move. Finally when Alex was five feet away, Filch was able to move his feet and run. "STAY AWAY FROM ME! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! DON'T HURT ME CAT!" Filch screamed as he ran away.
Alex stood there with his arms folded across his chest. That is one terrified man. Can not believe he thinks I am going to eat him or his cat. I guess I was right, he is scared of me.
"Alex, why does Mr. Filch thinks your going to eat him or his cat?" Harry asked.
"No clue bro, no clue. When you figure that out, let me know. Dude freaks out everytime he sees me. Don't he know that I am harmless? I wouldn't hurt a fly." Alex said as they started walking again. "Hey I know what might help him with his issues. Dude needs to, what's the phrase you guys use here, get shagged. A little shagging just might help the poor guy out." With that remark, they all cracked up laughing and still were laughing when they reached the dungeon doors.
Potions Master Severus Snape was standing outside the door when the four teenagers came walking up laughing. "Ten points each from Gryffindor for being too loud in the corridors. This is a school of learning in case the four of you have forgotten that. Take your seats and not another word from any of you."
Alex stood there outside the classroom door glaring at the Potions Master. You son-a-bitch, you just trying to piss me off aren't you. Alex thought. It's one thing to go after him when he has done something wrong, but to nail him just because he with his friends? DON'T push me damn it.
Professor Snape glared back at the young werewolf and with a stern tone of voice told him, "Your seat Mr. Staggs or it will be detention for you for the entire school year." In a low voice to where only Alex could hear, "DON'T you ever threaten me again or I will see to it that the Headmaster expells you. I don't care what Jason or the others in that flea-bitten pack think. And no, I wont think twice about giving you detention the entire year, even if you are my bastard son. Just do your job and I will continue to do mine."
Alex followed his father into the classroom and took the empty seat next to Hermione. "Are you ok?" she whispered to him.
"I'm fine." he snapped back quietly. "God, I hate him so much."
"Enough talking! Take out your stuff and you have two hours to brew this potion. I want silence from EVERYONE!" Professor Snape snapped at everyone as he waved his hand across the board and the potion directions for the "Wolfsbane Potion" appeared. "Get started NOW!"
"Twenty points from Gryffindor Mr. Staggs. I do not apprecitate being glared at. Keep that up and it will be fifty points next time." Snape said with a sneer as Alex glared at him one last time before starting on his potion.
Alex was sitting at the Gryffindor table at lunch when he was approached by a dark-skinned 7th year girl. "SIXTY POINTS! HALF OF THEM ARE FROM YOU!" Angelina Johnson yelled at him. "Are trying to put us in last place before the season gets started or what. Stop ticking Professor Snape off, or any of the teachers for that fact. Quidditch try-outs are this Friday and I want you there."
Alex just sat there with his jaw hanging as the girl stormed away. "Who was that?" Alex asked Ron as he sat down across from Alex.
"Angelina Johnson, Gryffindor Quidditch Captain and Seventh Year student. Got a right bit of temper on her so watch out mate." Ron replied as he piled his plate full of food and began eating.
Alex sighed as he turned back to his plate. This first day of classes was rough and it was bound to get rougher. As he was about to fill his plate for the second time, Ginny sat down next to him, face full of rage and anger.
"That woman is foul, rude and hatefull. What does she know about defending yourself. I'll tell you, NOTHING! Be warned guys, in your D.. class, forget about using your wands. She gonna make you read the basics. It all gonna be on theory not hands on. Half the Gryffindors have detention with her this weekend because they tried to prove her wrong and called her a liar about You-Know-Who being back."
"We've not had the pleasure of having her yet but thanks Ginny for that wonderful heads up." Alex retorted. "I don't need anymore bad news as it is today. Dealing with my fa...Professor Snape has already put me in a right foul mood as it is. Excuse me for few, I need to speak with the Headmaster about something." I can NOT let him get to me like that. That slip up could have messed everything up and I cann't afford to let Jason and the Pack down, much less let Harry down. Alex thought to himself as he walked up to the staff table where Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were chatting.
"Professor, I really hate to bother you but if I could have a word with you, it would be greatly appreciated so much." Alex said speaking to the Headmaster. " I have a problem that I need to have tended to tonight if possible."
"What may be the problem young Mr. Staggs. I do hope your classes are going well?" Dumbledore said with a knowing smile.
"My classes for the most part are going great, it is just my father I cann't deal with right now. Sixty points from Gryffindor for no reason, and thirty of them he hit me with. Sir, I know I was allowed out last night, but sir please. I can hold my changing until this evening but no longer. Permission sir, to run the Forest tonight." Alex said.
"Professor McGonagall will come get you at dusk, so be ready. We can not have an upset werewolf running around the castle, unable to control their emotions. Yes, permission gratned Alex to run tonight. I will speak to Professor Snape and remind him that he can not push you like he does Harry." Professor Dumbledore said to him.
"Thank you sir." Alex told him as he turned and walked away.
"Everything OK?" Hermione asked him as he sat back down at the table.
"Yeah everything is fine. Things are being taken care of as we speak. I just have something I need to do tonight and Professor Dumbledore was OKing it for me." he said without raising his eyes to meet her gaze.
"More secrets? Boy, you do have a lot of secrets for a 16 year old." Ginny said, not being able to keep quiet any longer. Ginny leaned in closer to Alex and whispered into his ear so only he could hear, "No one here would ever have to know. Your secrets would be safe if you were to tell."
"Yeah, I bet they would." he said quietly back to her. "But I am afraid that it not only would put me in harms way, but others as well, mainly my brother. I can not let harm come to him. He is all that I have of our mother now."
As the afternoon bell rang to begin the afternoon classes, Alex gave Ginny a quick glance that said that she was onto what he was hiding from every one. Damn. I thought I was beign careful. Alex thought as he and the trio made their way to their first class that afternoon, Defense Against the Dark Arts.
As soon as he sat down next to Harry, Alex knew this class was gonna be hell. His bad day was just getting started and this class would be his breaking point, if only he could control his anger just a bit longer and hold off until dusk.
As he sat there, trying to calm himself down, he didnt see the toad-like of a woman enter the classroom.
"Welcome class. I am Professor Umbridge and I will be teaching you the basics of this class. No need to have your wands out, so please put them away. This class has completely missed it point over the past few years and time has come to set things right." she went on as the class sat there in shock.
"You mean to say that we wont be practicing spells to defend ourselves with." said a fifth year Ravenclaw by the name of Kat O'Hara.
"No Miss..."
"O'Hara. Kat O'Hara." Kat replied.
"No Miss O'Hara you will not be practicing defensive spells. Why on earth would you need to do that." Umbridge said.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe to protect ourselves if we get attacked." Harry stated.
"Well, Mr. Potter. I've heard about you all summer. Convinced that the Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, has returned. I assure you and everyone else in this school, HE is not back." Umbridge said as she stopped in front of Harry and Alex. "I assure you, NO ONE would want to harm or attack you. We are living in a safe safe world."
"What rock did you just climb out from under? Lady, I don't kow where you have been for the past almost 17 years, but believe me, there are THOSE out there who would love to attack us whenever they could." Alex replied. "Do you mean to tell me and my classmates here, that we should have NO worries about being attacked by a Death Eater, vampires, or I don't know, werewolves. You want to stand there and tell us these do not exist? Alex Staggs by the way. I just transferred here from Salem Academy in the States."
"HOW DARE YOU!" screamed Umbridge. "Those vile type of creatures DO NOT exist. No one is out there who will do you children harm. Your minds have been twisted and you have been lied too all your lives. I am here to set the record straight."
"Werewolves don't exist you say. I know for a damn fact that they do. My main study was werewolves. I was planning on going into the Werewolf Division at the America Minstery. Their simple goal is to track down and straighten out those "wolves" who need to be straighten out. Those that refuse, will be "taken care of" so to speak." Alex said as he stood from his chair. In front of the class, Alex removed his school robes and long sleeve white shirt, revealing the massive scar that ran down the left side of his body.
"MR. STAGGS! PUT YOUR CLOTHES BACK ON THIS MINUTE!" Umbridge yelled at him.
"Look at me. I didn't get get these scars from nothing. Luckily for me, the "werewolf" who attacked me wasn't a fully changed wolf. He was close, but not fully changed. DON'T stand there and tell me THEY or him don't exisit. I found out later it was on HIS orders that I be killed. Why? Who knows but only him. If Harry and Professor Dumbledore both say he back, then guess what lady, HE IS BACK!" Alex said as he grabbed his shirt and robes and walked from the classroom.
"DETENTION MR. STAGGS! DETENTION FOR A MONTH!" Umbridge said to Alex's retreating back.
"Whatever" was all anyone heard as the door slammed close.
Alex was sitting in the common room doing his potions homework when he realized that there was someone standing over him. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall and Alex's Pack Alpha Jason Madden were standing over him when he looked up. The look on Jason's face said it all, Alex was in deep deep shit and he knew it.
"Hi guys, what can I do for you? Jason, so glad to see you here still. I do hope things are OK." Alex said, trying to lighten the mood in the room.
"Are you trying to get founded out Alex. That stunt you pulled in your class today could have ruined everything, your whole reason of being here." Jason said in an irate tone. "You have to keep your temper in check Alex. It is one thing to go off on Snape but we know nothing about this Umbridge woman and now you're getting too close to crossing that line."
"OH! I'm so sorry Jason, but I really don't like being told I don't exist. That woman stood there and told me and everyone else in that classroom that "werewolves and vampires DO NOT exist. The last time I checked, Jason, WE do exist. WE walk and talk. WE do eat and sleep. WE do breathe the same air as everyone else. What, you want to tell me now that WE dont have sex either? Because if that the case, then someone forgot to give that memo to Dalton and Teri." Alex said heatedly. "Professor with all due respect, I can not and WILL not do detention with that vile woman. I will not be able to control my anger long enough to do the "months worth of detention" she thinks I am going to do for her. Sir, I have NEVER wanted to kill or take another person's life, but I feel I will have no other choice BUT to kill her. I can not sit in her class any more either. IF I was made to do these "detentions." you better start looking now for a new teacher. So help me Merlin, I will rip that woman's throat out." With that being said, Alex grabbed his jacket on the back of the couch and went out through the portait hole.
"Well Mr. Madden, what do you suggest for this young man who has such a way with words?" Professor McGonagall asked the elder wolf.
"Keep him away from this Umbridge woman if possible and anyone else he might want to kill. In all my years of knowing and raising Alex, I have never seen him so angry or upset. And what he said about never wanting to kill anyone, he was telling the truth. He has always been my calm one. He has only killed twice and that was because of some rogue wolves killed two of his Pack brothers a few years ago. He never got over losing his brothers." Jason said quietly, knowing all too well that the words that his step-son spoke were in fact the truth. "I just hope that no one caught onto what he actually said about his scars. That would be bad for our cause and will defeat the whole purpose of him being here."
"Ginny, you should have seen him. I know he has only been for a day but he was so upset, that he walked out of Umbridge's class. There was something about how he was talking about how he got that scar that tells me that he is indeed hiding something. I just cann't put my finger on it." Hermione said as the four friends were sitting under the big tree by the lake, going over homework.
"Give it a rest Hermione. Alex is probably on his way back to the States now because if Umbridge gets her way, Alex will be explelled." Ron said. "I give up, I'm going back to the common room to get my broom. I'm gonna go practice at the pitch for Quidditch try-outs Friday. Harry, you wanna come help?" Ron said as he put his homework into his bag.
"Sure." Harry replied as he stood to walk with his best friend back to the castle. "All this talk about Alex is breaking my thought flow."
As Ron and Harry made their way back to the castle, Ginny turned to face the older witch. "So what happened again? You think he's hiding something as well."
"I don't think he is being completly truthfull about his scar and how he got it. I think he doesn't want anyone to know the truth about him whatever it may be." Hermione said as she sat back and started looking over her Charms homework.
As Ginny went to say something, a twig to her far right snapped. Ginny turned just in time to see a large golden wolf step from the wood line and another large wolf, greyish-blonde in color, stepped in between the other wolf and the two teenage girls. As the second wolf took it's stance for protecting, two more large wolves stepped out of the woods, one being a blonde color and the other being coal black.
With a low, deep throat growl from the second wolf, the three wolves that come out of the woods turned and went back into the dark forest. The wolf turned it's head and gaze towards the two teenage girls, now sitting huddled up together. Hermione slowly reached into her robes and drew out her wand. The wolf just stood there and looked at the stick in the young girl's hand and shook it's head. It's eyes and gaze found its way to the young red-head sitting there and for a moment, both of their eyes locked.
Ginny sat there next to Hermione and slowly pulled Hermione's wand hand down. "Don't. It's not gonna hurt us." she said as her eyes locked on the wolf standing in front of her. "It was protecting us from those other ones. I don't th..." she started to say before she let out a gasp.
Those eyes. I know those eyes. Ginny thought as the wolf turned and ran into the woods.